Pests & unwanted hitchhikers

Contents

Aiptasia sp.

Aiptasia is a genus of anemones commonly referred to as
glass or rock anemones because of their
colouration and benthic lifestyle; typically being found attached to
mangrove roots or rocky substrates. They are widely distributed in
tropical seas around the world and are typical hitchhikers on wild
harvested or ocean aquacultured live rock.

Once introduced into your tank, through asexual reproduction (in this
case growing an individual from a single adult cell) they can quickly
take over. Why are they a pest? Not only do they take over very quickly
but they are very aggressive towards other corals, actively moving
around and stinging (and killing) other desirable corals and even fish.

They are hard to eradicate but can be controlled chemically and biologically.Chemical controls includeinjection with a strong base (eg: calcium hydroxide) or acid (eg: vinegar). There are also a number of products in the aquarium industry that target Aiptasia species. Alternatively, biological control can be effective and add life to your tank. Some organisms known to consume Aiptasia sp. will also munch on your other corals, so you need to choose well. Some reef safe options include peppermint shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni), the nudibranch Berghia verrucicornis, and the red-legged hermit crab (Clibanarius digueti). Butterflyfish and other fishes in the genus Chaetodon
as well as various species of puffer fish and angelfishare also know to
consume this unwanted anemone, but will also nibble on other corals.

Mantis Shrimp (stomatopods)

Mantis shrimp are neither mantid nor shrimp. They are predatory marine
crustacean that get their name because they resemble a terrestrial
preying mantis and a shrimp. There are over 400 described species of
mantis shrimp found worldwide and are known for their powerful claws
that they use to spear, stun or dismember their prey. In the wild
stomatopods are thought to be among the most important shallow tropical
and sub-tropical marine predators, but not much is known about them
because they spend most of their time hiding in rock formations or
burrowing in the seabed. They are very aggressive sit-and-wait
predators; hiding in their burrow, waiting for an unsuspecting crabs, fish or
other livestock to pass by. They strike with lightning speed and larger
individuals have in some cases been known to break aquarium glass with
a single strike. They come in many colours from brown to neon, they are
beautiful but their voracious appetite make them unwanted in most
marine aquariums.

Mantis shrimp possess the most complicated eyes in the animal
kingdom. They are
capable of distinguishing between 100,000 colors, which is 10 times as
many as
humans and are the only creatures currently known that can see circular
polarized light. So before you extract them from your system take the
time to appreciate one of evolution's marvels.